Bama's C.J. Mosley wins Butkus Award

Alabama senior linebacker C.J. Mosley is the recipient of the 2013
Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.

Mosley was presented the award Sunday evening by the award's
namesake, Dick Butkus, during the Alabama Football Team Banquet at the Cahaba
Grand Conference Center. Mosley is third Crimson Tide player to win the award,
joining Derrick Thomas (1988) and Rolando McClain (2009).

Mosley
leads the 2013 team with 102 tackles and nine tackles for loss (-20 yards). He
has five pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He was
the Alabama Defensive Player of the week 11 times in 12 games and ranks fourth
in school history with 313 tackles. Mosley has made at least seven tackles in
10 games this season and recorded double digits five times.

Mosley
has 86 more tackles than any other Alabama player over the past two seasons. He
has been especially good over the past four games, making 43 tackles with 3.5
tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, a force fumble and two pass
breakups. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions
(LSU and Mississippi State) and was the Lott IMPACT Trophy National Player of
the Week following the LSU game.

The 51-person selection committee stated,
"This year's college linebacker class was among the best history.
Mosley's combination of instincts, range, playmaking ability, on-field
leadership and work ethic distinguished his performance. His selfless
contributions on special teams and in the community speak to his strength of
character and support the Butkus Award mission."

The Butkus Award inscription reads: "When
a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is
recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the
long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a
responsibility to serve others by giving back. – Dick Butkus."

The Butkus Award® draws attention to the I
Play Clean™ campaign, which encourages athletes to train hard, eat well, and
play with attitude instead of using performance-enhancing substances.
Butkus encourages athletes, coaches and fans to pledge their support at www.iplayclean.org or on Facebook at I.Play.Clean.

Considered one of the greatest football
players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in
1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of
Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive
lineman for the University of Southern California. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com or on Facebook at 51.butkus.

The complete list of award winners is as follows: Unsung Hero Award To the player who has made significant contributions to the success of the team and received the least recognition for it Kenny Bell, KenyanMore >>

The complete list of award winners is as follows: Unsung Hero Award To the player who has made significant contributions to the success of the team and received the least recognition for it Kenny Bell, KenyanMore >>